Dear NEO Nazarene,
About 20 of us were at SNU on Monday and Tuesday for the Gallup Strengths Summit. It was good information - probably more than we could absorb in 24 hours. You will continue to hear more about this in months ahead. All of us in attendance want to be more self-aware of our own God-given talents so we can begin to use and develop them into strengths and then be catalysts for others to discover and use their own strengths. As Joe Cavananaugh, our Gallup instructor said, "Don't try to put in what God left out. Instead, try to draw out what God put in."
Last Sunday, Gloria and I had the privilege to attend Sand Springs. What a treat to see the beautiful remodeled facilities and to worship with Pastor Claude and Betty Guy and this wonderful church family. To see pictures, click on the link below:
Sand Springs, September 21
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTEdg
Our Work and Witness Coordinator, Jerry Wilburg writes: In response to damage done by Hurricane Ike in the USA, Nazarene Disaster Response is now making an appeal for chainsaw teams and cleanup teams who can respond to Texas as soon as possible. Interested parties should contact National NDR Director Steve Creech at 252-876-8720 or screech@ncmi.org.
If there are any persons wanting to organize a group to go down to Houston or just want to participate in a group I will try to connect the interested parties. I am not able to make a trip myself at this time but if I know of a group going down, I will be able to connect individuals to those opportunities.
Also, Crisis Care Kits are low in supply due to the unusually active Hurricane season.
God continue to work through our NewStarts. Brad Farnsworth writes about answers to prayer at Connection Church:
1. Single mom came Sunday and approached me after the service, with tears in her eyes, saying that the message was just what she needed and had been asking God about.
2. A recovering addict said that all week he asks God questions and then he shows up on Sunday and God answers them. He said he plans to just keep coming each week so he can get his questions answered.
3. Young mom, out of church for 5 years, has started coming. Sunday her husband (who said he would not go back to church) showed up and then came to our event at the park.
4. Young man, who said he would never go to church, showed up 2 weeks ago and loved it.
5. Mom, who never goes to church and is struggling in her marriage, came up front a few weeks ago with tears in her eyes saying she is finding hope for the first time in a long time.
6. My 10 year old son's best friend has been dragging his dad to church every Sunday because he loves it.
7. A young teen, who thinks Jesus isn't really the Son of God, has been coming to learn more and has been bringing his dad along with him.
8. An elderly lady, who felt her life was meaningless and asked God to take her home, has found new life and is coming each week.
9. A gentlemen, who was raised Hindu, has come and has been open to learning more about Jesus Christ.
10. Visitors every weekend. Seven brand new families attended just last week.
Thanks again for your continued prayers.
Doug Gunsalus writes: South County Community Church is on it's way. We are only a week and a half away from our Launch Date. WOW! I can't believe that we are already here! However, the excitement is overwhelming and the movement of God is almost tangible among our congregation. We are excited about what God is going to do with this small group of people. This past Sunday at our sneak preview service we had 76 people and nearly 20 brand new guests! It was a great sunday!
God is good....all the time.
You are loved!
Dave
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Dear NEO family,
I was blessed to attend Family Church’s Celebrate Recovery last Saturday. This CR meets at Tulsa Faith. Recently, through the generous monetary gift of Sand Springs Church and two works days involving Family Church volunteers and Faith Pastor Jerry Holley, this church had a major “makeover”. The facilities look fantastic. The service was outstanding, helping people find help and hope through Jesus.
I loved the ovations for those who had been walking in victory for 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months and a year. I think the Lord of the church must be pleased when he sees the church doing as his Word instructs – encouraging one another and spurring one another on to love and good deeds. Keep up the good work Pastor Buddy and Alicia Davis and all of the CR team!
Celebrate Recovery Pictures http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTEVA
Gloria and I were privileged to share in an exciting service and groundbreaking ceremony at Claremore on Sunday. This church is impacting the community and busting at the seams. They just started a Celebrate Recovery two weeks ago. Great days are ahead for Pastor J.J. and Heather James and this great church of ministers.
Claremore Ground Breaking Pictures http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTEVA
WHAT: NYI Summer End Blowout
WHEN: Sunday September 21, 2008
WHERE: YMCA Owasso, Ok
TIME: 6:15 P.M. to whenever
COST: $15 includes pizza and drink and to do everything at the YMCA. The YMCA has a indoor pool, basketball court, volleyball court, workout room, and more.
Come and have some fun with us at the Y
Zone Clusters met at District Assembly. Pastors shared their churches’ Mission Action Plan on behalf of the churches and were prayed for. It is now time for follow up on progress and on-going prayer and support. The following Zone Clusters will meet on Sept. 29:
6:00pm Northeast Zone, Cowboy Junction Restaurant in Vinita
6:30pm Southwest Zone, Bristow Church
7:00pm Northwest Zone, Hominy Church
October is pastor appreciation month. Plan now to remember your
pastors and their families next month.
October 5 - Centennial Celebration
The International Church of the Nazarene will be celebrating its 100th year all around the world. Every church will participate in this global wide worshipevent. Each church across the continents will hear the same scriptures, the same message of God's holy love proclaimed, and partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion . Be in prayer now that the Lord will renew and empower the
Church of the Nazarene for a new century!
Elizabeth Johnson returns from chaplaincy volunteer work. She writes: Greetings. I just wanted to say a quick hello. I got back from my time with Red Cross last evening. This was for Hurricane Gustav work and preparation for Ike. I was in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. It was truly wonderful to see people so committed to helping others and being with them in such need. I felt so blessed to be part of this group even if it was for a limited time.
it, How Churches and Leaders Can Get it and Keep it, by Craig Groeschel
I was challenged by hearing Pastor Craig Groeschel last week at the SNU Pastor’s Training Day. I bought his book and was challenged even more as I read it this week. What is “it”? It is not a model, system, or result of programs. The best explanation, according to Craig, is what God does through a rare combination of these qualities found in his people:
Passion for his presence
A deep craving to reach the lost
Sincere integrity
Spirit-filled faith
Down-to-earth humility
Brokenness
I will probably flesh this out more in coming weeks, but let me share a summary of what Craig says contributes to a church having “it”:
Vision: You can see it clearly
· Without a vision, the people will never get it and keep it.
· It doesn’t show up on its own. It follows big vision.
· The vision must be memorable, portable, and motivational.
· You can’t over communicate vision!
Divine Focus: You know where it is not
· Those who do it all tend to lose.
· The clearer your vision becomes, the easier it is to guard what God calls you to do.
· Instead of saying “and”, maybe you need to say “or.”
· If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.
· To be great at a few things and experience it, you’ll have to say no to many things.
· When focus increases, options decrease
· Those who have it stick with what brings it.
Unmistakable Camaraderie: You enjoy it with others
· The people on teams that have it enjoy it together.
· As long as you’re afraid of intimacy and spiritual partnership, you likely won’t experience it.
· To have it, you have to share it with each other, It dies when it is alone.
· Leaders with it understand the big picture, have fun, get naked, celebrate the wins, and fight behind closed doors.
Innovative Minds: You’ll do anything for it
· God often guides by what he doesn’t provide.
· Increasing Passion + Limited Resources = Exponential Innovation.
· You have everything you need to do what God wants you to do.
· Innovative leaders do anything short of sin to reach the lost.
· “All it takes on one idea to solve an impossible problem” (Robert Schuller).
Willingness to Fall Short: You fail toward it
· Failure is not an option. It is a necessity.
· If you’re not failing, you’ve stopped dreaming. You’ll eventually stop learning. And you will stop growing. Those who have it fail often.
· Failure is often the tuition for success (adapted from Walter Brunell).
· Great leaders learn the art of failing forward.
Hearts Focused Outward: You and other to have it
· When we love deeply, love makes us do things we wouldn’t otherwise do.
· To have it, we have to care about those who are far from God. Many people don’t.
· When our churches look inward instead of outward, we’re basically saying to nonbelievers, “You can just go to hell.”
· Be careful not to blame yourself if someone rejects Christ. If you do, you might be tempted to take credit when someone accepts him.
· Love overcomes obstacles.
Kingdom-Mindedness: You share it
· The more possessive and competitive we are, the more divided we become.
· A kingdom-minded ministry is more about what God is doing everywhere than what God is doing in your own ministry.
· A kingdom-minded ministry is generous and hungry to partner with others to get more done for the glory of God.
· When you have it, you know that it doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to God. He gives it. Since it is his and not yours, you’re willing to share it.
· The more you try to keep it, the less of it you tend to have. The more you are wiling to give it away, the more of it God seems to give.
As we seek God wholeheartedly, I pray God will make this next century years of harvest!
You are loved,
Dave
I was blessed to attend Family Church’s Celebrate Recovery last Saturday. This CR meets at Tulsa Faith. Recently, through the generous monetary gift of Sand Springs Church and two works days involving Family Church volunteers and Faith Pastor Jerry Holley, this church had a major “makeover”. The facilities look fantastic. The service was outstanding, helping people find help and hope through Jesus.
I loved the ovations for those who had been walking in victory for 30 days, 60 days, 90 days, six months and a year. I think the Lord of the church must be pleased when he sees the church doing as his Word instructs – encouraging one another and spurring one another on to love and good deeds. Keep up the good work Pastor Buddy and Alicia Davis and all of the CR team!
Celebrate Recovery Pictures http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTEVA
Gloria and I were privileged to share in an exciting service and groundbreaking ceremony at Claremore on Sunday. This church is impacting the community and busting at the seams. They just started a Celebrate Recovery two weeks ago. Great days are ahead for Pastor J.J. and Heather James and this great church of ministers.
Claremore Ground Breaking Pictures http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTEVA
WHAT: NYI Summer End Blowout
WHEN: Sunday September 21, 2008
WHERE: YMCA Owasso, Ok
TIME: 6:15 P.M. to whenever
COST: $15 includes pizza and drink and to do everything at the YMCA. The YMCA has a indoor pool, basketball court, volleyball court, workout room, and more.
Come and have some fun with us at the Y
Zone Clusters met at District Assembly. Pastors shared their churches’ Mission Action Plan on behalf of the churches and were prayed for. It is now time for follow up on progress and on-going prayer and support. The following Zone Clusters will meet on Sept. 29:
6:00pm Northeast Zone, Cowboy Junction Restaurant in Vinita
6:30pm Southwest Zone, Bristow Church
7:00pm Northwest Zone, Hominy Church
October is pastor appreciation month. Plan now to remember your
pastors and their families next month.
October 5 - Centennial Celebration
The International Church of the Nazarene will be celebrating its 100th year all around the world. Every church will participate in this global wide worshipevent. Each church across the continents will hear the same scriptures, the same message of God's holy love proclaimed, and partake in the sacrament of Holy Communion . Be in prayer now that the Lord will renew and empower the
Church of the Nazarene for a new century!
Elizabeth Johnson returns from chaplaincy volunteer work. She writes: Greetings. I just wanted to say a quick hello. I got back from my time with Red Cross last evening. This was for Hurricane Gustav work and preparation for Ike. I was in New Orleans and Baton Rouge. It was truly wonderful to see people so committed to helping others and being with them in such need. I felt so blessed to be part of this group even if it was for a limited time.
it, How Churches and Leaders Can Get it and Keep it, by Craig Groeschel
I was challenged by hearing Pastor Craig Groeschel last week at the SNU Pastor’s Training Day. I bought his book and was challenged even more as I read it this week. What is “it”? It is not a model, system, or result of programs. The best explanation, according to Craig, is what God does through a rare combination of these qualities found in his people:
Passion for his presence
A deep craving to reach the lost
Sincere integrity
Spirit-filled faith
Down-to-earth humility
Brokenness
I will probably flesh this out more in coming weeks, but let me share a summary of what Craig says contributes to a church having “it”:
Vision: You can see it clearly
· Without a vision, the people will never get it and keep it.
· It doesn’t show up on its own. It follows big vision.
· The vision must be memorable, portable, and motivational.
· You can’t over communicate vision!
Divine Focus: You know where it is not
· Those who do it all tend to lose.
· The clearer your vision becomes, the easier it is to guard what God calls you to do.
· Instead of saying “and”, maybe you need to say “or.”
· If you chase two rabbits, both will escape.
· To be great at a few things and experience it, you’ll have to say no to many things.
· When focus increases, options decrease
· Those who have it stick with what brings it.
Unmistakable Camaraderie: You enjoy it with others
· The people on teams that have it enjoy it together.
· As long as you’re afraid of intimacy and spiritual partnership, you likely won’t experience it.
· To have it, you have to share it with each other, It dies when it is alone.
· Leaders with it understand the big picture, have fun, get naked, celebrate the wins, and fight behind closed doors.
Innovative Minds: You’ll do anything for it
· God often guides by what he doesn’t provide.
· Increasing Passion + Limited Resources = Exponential Innovation.
· You have everything you need to do what God wants you to do.
· Innovative leaders do anything short of sin to reach the lost.
· “All it takes on one idea to solve an impossible problem” (Robert Schuller).
Willingness to Fall Short: You fail toward it
· Failure is not an option. It is a necessity.
· If you’re not failing, you’ve stopped dreaming. You’ll eventually stop learning. And you will stop growing. Those who have it fail often.
· Failure is often the tuition for success (adapted from Walter Brunell).
· Great leaders learn the art of failing forward.
Hearts Focused Outward: You and other to have it
· When we love deeply, love makes us do things we wouldn’t otherwise do.
· To have it, we have to care about those who are far from God. Many people don’t.
· When our churches look inward instead of outward, we’re basically saying to nonbelievers, “You can just go to hell.”
· Be careful not to blame yourself if someone rejects Christ. If you do, you might be tempted to take credit when someone accepts him.
· Love overcomes obstacles.
Kingdom-Mindedness: You share it
· The more possessive and competitive we are, the more divided we become.
· A kingdom-minded ministry is more about what God is doing everywhere than what God is doing in your own ministry.
· A kingdom-minded ministry is generous and hungry to partner with others to get more done for the glory of God.
· When you have it, you know that it doesn’t belong to you. It belongs to God. He gives it. Since it is his and not yours, you’re willing to share it.
· The more you try to keep it, the less of it you tend to have. The more you are wiling to give it away, the more of it God seems to give.
As we seek God wholeheartedly, I pray God will make this next century years of harvest!
You are loved,
Dave
Friday, September 12, 2008
Dear NEO Nazarenes,
We had a great turnout from NEO for the Pastor's Training Day at SNU last Monday. 39 pastors were challenged by Craig Groeschel, founding pastor of Life Church. We have 20 pastors signed up for the Strengths Summit on Sept. 22 - 23. I appreciate our pastors commitment to on-going development and growth.
Recent visits have taken Gloria and I to Mannford and Wagoner. Use the links below to see some of the beautiful people who are a part of these church families:
Mannford: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTEEA&emid=sharview&linkid=link5
Wagoner: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTD6A&emid=sharview&linkid=link5
Angie Bentley shared an outstanding report with me a few days ago from Bristow: Last week several of our Wednesday night youth were asking about baptism. Today I presented a very simple basic salvation message with visual aides. 16 KIDS ASKED JESUS INTO THEIR HEARTS! MOST OF THEM PLAN TO BE BAPTIZED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES!! Praise the Lord - 10 months of labor is seeing some harvest!
Pastor Brad Farnsworth reports a wonderful lauch Sunday at Connections Church. Keep praying for our NewStarts and for our Hispanic Coordinator, Otoniel Dannemann and his wife, Gloria. Gloria is still detained in Argentina. God is giving her strength and peace, but we are praying for her quick release.
I am excited to get to preach and be a part of a ground breaking cermony at Claremore this Sunday. I will take my umbrella!
You are loved,
Dave
Five Stages
of Renewal
Every time a new reformation has come, five renewals have preceded it. The awakening and reformation of the global church will begin with local churches and with the same five renewals preceding this movement, says Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. [christianpost.com]
Personal Renewal: It starts with the heart. You might call it rededicating your life, being filled with the Spirit, or the "deeper life." The bottom line is to fall in love with Jesus again and, all of a sudden, it's not about religion and rituals; it's about a relationship with Jesus.
Relational Renewal: After you get right with God, you've got to get right with others. When you have relational renewal in your church, the gossip goes down and the joy goes up. People hang around longer after the service when a church has been through relational renewal because they want to spend time together.
Missional Renewal: This is when a church discovers what God wants it to do and happens when we focus our churches on the God-given purposes of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism.
Cultural Renewal: In this stage, God renews the culture of the church. Many pastors have tried to change the culture of the church without going through the other three renewals. There's a word for that, says Pastor Warren: martyrdom. Only God can change the culture of the church.
Structural Renewal: After a church has been through the first four renewals, it's going to outgrow the current structure. The structure that works for a church of 100 won't work for a church of 250 and so on.
We had a great turnout from NEO for the Pastor's Training Day at SNU last Monday. 39 pastors were challenged by Craig Groeschel, founding pastor of Life Church. We have 20 pastors signed up for the Strengths Summit on Sept. 22 - 23. I appreciate our pastors commitment to on-going development and growth.
Recent visits have taken Gloria and I to Mannford and Wagoner. Use the links below to see some of the beautiful people who are a part of these church families:
Mannford: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTEEA&emid=sharview&linkid=link5
Wagoner: http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0Abt2TZizYsWTD6A&emid=sharview&linkid=link5
Angie Bentley shared an outstanding report with me a few days ago from Bristow: Last week several of our Wednesday night youth were asking about baptism. Today I presented a very simple basic salvation message with visual aides. 16 KIDS ASKED JESUS INTO THEIR HEARTS! MOST OF THEM PLAN TO BE BAPTIZED IN CONJUNCTION WITH OUR CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION ACTIVITIES!! Praise the Lord - 10 months of labor is seeing some harvest!
Pastor Brad Farnsworth reports a wonderful lauch Sunday at Connections Church. Keep praying for our NewStarts and for our Hispanic Coordinator, Otoniel Dannemann and his wife, Gloria. Gloria is still detained in Argentina. God is giving her strength and peace, but we are praying for her quick release.
I am excited to get to preach and be a part of a ground breaking cermony at Claremore this Sunday. I will take my umbrella!
You are loved,
Dave
Five Stages
of RenewalEvery time a new reformation has come, five renewals have preceded it. The awakening and reformation of the global church will begin with local churches and with the same five renewals preceding this movement, says Rick Warren, senior pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif. [christianpost.com]
Personal Renewal: It starts with the heart. You might call it rededicating your life, being filled with the Spirit, or the "deeper life." The bottom line is to fall in love with Jesus again and, all of a sudden, it's not about religion and rituals; it's about a relationship with Jesus.
Relational Renewal: After you get right with God, you've got to get right with others. When you have relational renewal in your church, the gossip goes down and the joy goes up. People hang around longer after the service when a church has been through relational renewal because they want to spend time together.
Missional Renewal: This is when a church discovers what God wants it to do and happens when we focus our churches on the God-given purposes of worship, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and evangelism.
Cultural Renewal: In this stage, God renews the culture of the church. Many pastors have tried to change the culture of the church without going through the other three renewals. There's a word for that, says Pastor Warren: martyrdom. Only God can change the culture of the church.
Structural Renewal: After a church has been through the first four renewals, it's going to outgrow the current structure. The structure that works for a church of 100 won't work for a church of 250 and so on.
Friday, September 5, 2008
NEO Weekly Update Nashville
Dear NEO family,
I am writing from Nashville where I have been attending the DS Leadership Development Program. It has been stimulating and refreshing. We head home later today.
My heart has been thrilled as I have read reports of how God is working throught NEO leaders and churches. See some of the reports below.
Elizabeth Johnson was deployed by the American Red Cross to serve on their SRT (Spiritual Response Team) in response to Hurricane Gustav. She is now serving as Disaster Relief Chaplain at a shelter in Baton Rogue, Louisiana.
Brad Farnsworth reports about Connection Church: This Sunday is the big event! Our GRAND OPENING!. After having 6 sneak previews (4 in August), we are ready to go. The Connection Café opens at 10:30 A.M. The Worship Service begins at 11:00 A.M. Connection City is open for the kids, birth through 5th grade, with Jupiter Jumps, fun activities and relevant teaching. Pastor Brad will be concluding his series on Full Court with a message about Reaching Out. You can log on to our website at www.connectionchurchwired.com for more information. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday at Rosa Parks Elementary School, just 1 mile north of the BA Expressway on 145th E Ave (N. Aspen). Bring your friends to this exciting Grand Opening service. Blessings on all on you. See you Sunday!
Doug Gunsalus reported several days ago about South County Community Church: Just wanted to let you know what an awesome day we had yesterday. In the morning, we had a closed service with just our people. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from that and one other cool thing happened. A lady just showed up. She decided to come here. Just walked in off the street! Things like that are soooo awesome! Then, last night we had over 100 people in attendance at our community cookout. It was awesome! There were kids everywhere and we had several prospects come and say that they were looking for a church. We were so excited and our team was amazing. Connections were made and even one couple told us that they wanted to become a part of the launch team (they also came to our sneak preview service). God has been so good to us so far. I can't wait to see what he will do next!
Work day at Faith Church: Sept. 6, 9am – 4pm. Contact Buddy Davis, buddy@familychurch.tv if you need more information or to volunteer.
In their monthly reports, pastors tell us many other things to Celebrate:
Harold Johnson, Cushing I want to celebrate…Last month our church partnered with Valley Hope to raise money for a burn victim who attends our church. We raised over $500. PTL!
Gerald James, Claremore I want to celebrate…God moved miraculously in the life of a nine year old girl named Breighanna. Her story is amazing. She was saved the day before having a very serious surgery done on her skull. They did not expect her to make it through the surgery. She is now back in school on half days and is recovering well. Her family is now attending our church. To God be the glory!! Fifteen people from the Claremore community joined our Financial Peace University class this time. There is a new sense of revival brewing in our teen group.
Alan McBroom, Davenport I want to celebrate...We had an infant baptized this month. It was a great opportunity to share in the church’s responsibility in raising a child up in the Lord, as well as ministry to many new people.We also served 30 families this month with our clothes ministry!
Jim Wilson, Barnsdall I want to celebrate...We have had Revival Services this month with Marcus Whitworth and some guest Preachers, and saw some new and old faces in the pews. We had a combined morning worship with Pawhuska on the 24th with an all church luncheon afterwards.
Jim Wilson, Pawhuska I want to celebrate… Revival services this month, a combined worship with Barnsdall, new visitors and old friends, and we had one member (Walt Bellamy) defeat cancer this month and get “promoted” to heaven.
Don Nichols, Tahlequah I want to celebrate… A great Planning Session for our Centennial Celebration. Thankful for a Church that has a Heart to reach out to our community during the centennial celebration. We will have a great time at our community wide celebration and the reenactment of the Pilot Point Business Meeting on October 4th
Randy Schuneman, Bartlesville I want to celebrate… Great revival with Stephen Manley. Best I have experienced in 30 years!
Angela Bentley, Bristow I want to celebrate… We had our very first youth rally/revival and it was a great success! One young person accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and several other young people were helped! A few of our Wednesday night youth have been in church every Sunday since the revival! We raised enough funds to pay all expenses, give the band and speakers a love offering, and the turnout was good.
John Whitsett, Tulsa Central I want to celebrate…A really good first installment of my D. Min. program. Our new Student Ministries Pastor, Justin Hedges, arrived and is off to a wonderful start. There is a sense of optimism in the air.
Gordon Smith, Dewey I want to celebrate…“We Care” projects”. Each Sunday School class was asked to come up with one project that they could do in the community for the sake of Christ. For the last several months our “Life Lessons” Sunday school class has been collecting clothes for donation to give away to those in need in our community. On August 10th, we went to a community park and allowed for those in need to come and take what they needed, and we also provided some hot dogs, and something to drink. We were able to touch lives for the sake of Christ Jesus! We tangibly touched so many lives and received the blessing of the Lord as it is states in Acts 20:35, “Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” It was a joy to be the tangible hands of Christ to the community of Dewey. Church-Wide Jr. High Camping Trip. We put together a church-wide Jr. High camping trip. It was a lot of work and effort, but we were able to see many lives changed in the process, and despite the extreme heat that we experienced that week, we also experienced the graceful hand of God. We had a great time of fun and games, and we also had a great time of helping our young adults to mature in their faith, and to preach the gospel to those that no nothing of Christ Jesus! One young man, after talking to him about his relationship with the Lord, had already accepted Christ in heart, but he wanted to take another step of commitment in his relationship with Jesus and get baptized, which will happen this month. I also, want to celebrate a loving people here at Dewey. My two year review was this last month, and these fine folks have been kind enough to allow me to continue to serve them in the name of Christ Jesus, of which I am honored and humbled to do so. Our love as a church is continuing to soar, and, as Leo Tolstoy has written, “Where love is, there God is also.” I thank the Lord for what he has already done for our church, for what he is doing for our church, and for what he will do in our church and in our community for the sake of Christ!
Larry Morris, Broken Arrow I want to celebrate...Started training for starting 20 small groups to start in January. Recruited a launch team to develop a plan to start a worship service at the Manna house. Began a new comers class that introduces the ministries and doctrines of the church.
David Stevens, Vinita I want to celebrate...Reception of members Buddy, and Teresa Brown and their teenaged daughter. The family also includes a toddler and a 4-year-old. They have been attending for quite a while but finally wanted to commit. We also have had 6 different people who have come to ‘try the church’ and ended up coming back for several Sundays now. We have almost all of the insulation and sheet-rock back up in the Sunday School/Fellowship Hall annex. We were able to get the new ceiling finished in the hallway and fellowship hall and ceiling fan/lights installed just in time for our Missionary service with David Fraley. The church services have been blessed with the presence of the Lord and a closeness and love among the people. God is Good! Carol Stevens (pastor’s wife) continues to improve. She has been working at the school and using a walker to get around. For the last week she has been practicing with a 4-footed cane at home and at church. She drove her self to work this week. We thank God for all His help.
Gerald Burch, Coweta I want to celebrate… That our Father has supplied the resources for us to purchase an electronic piano, as well as a computer, video player, CD play, and projector, that will allow us to be creative in a variety of ways in different areas of ministry. Also that during a past Youth weekend event God stirred the hearts of our Youth. One young man, whose parents do not attend, has changed his work schedule so that he can regularly attend Sunday and Wednesday service.
NEO Leaders August 2008
S. S.
Drumright +23
Claremore +22
Tahlequah +17
Dewey +13
Broken Arrow +9
Owasso +9
Vinita +4
AM Worship
Owasso +30
Fuente de Vida +25
Claremore +25
Davenport +8
Tahlequah +6
Tulsa First +6
Coweta +2
God is at work. Great days are ahead!
Dave McKellips
I am writing from Nashville where I have been attending the DS Leadership Development Program. It has been stimulating and refreshing. We head home later today.
My heart has been thrilled as I have read reports of how God is working throught NEO leaders and churches. See some of the reports below.
Elizabeth Johnson was deployed by the American Red Cross to serve on their SRT (Spiritual Response Team) in response to Hurricane Gustav. She is now serving as Disaster Relief Chaplain at a shelter in Baton Rogue, Louisiana.
Brad Farnsworth reports about Connection Church: This Sunday is the big event! Our GRAND OPENING!. After having 6 sneak previews (4 in August), we are ready to go. The Connection Café opens at 10:30 A.M. The Worship Service begins at 11:00 A.M. Connection City is open for the kids, birth through 5th grade, with Jupiter Jumps, fun activities and relevant teaching. Pastor Brad will be concluding his series on Full Court with a message about Reaching Out. You can log on to our website at www.connectionchurchwired.com for more information. We look forward to seeing you this Sunday at Rosa Parks Elementary School, just 1 mile north of the BA Expressway on 145th E Ave (N. Aspen). Bring your friends to this exciting Grand Opening service. Blessings on all on you. See you Sunday!
Doug Gunsalus reported several days ago about South County Community Church: Just wanted to let you know what an awesome day we had yesterday. In the morning, we had a closed service with just our people. I have gotten a lot of positive feedback from that and one other cool thing happened. A lady just showed up. She decided to come here. Just walked in off the street! Things like that are soooo awesome! Then, last night we had over 100 people in attendance at our community cookout. It was awesome! There were kids everywhere and we had several prospects come and say that they were looking for a church. We were so excited and our team was amazing. Connections were made and even one couple told us that they wanted to become a part of the launch team (they also came to our sneak preview service). God has been so good to us so far. I can't wait to see what he will do next!
Work day at Faith Church: Sept. 6, 9am – 4pm. Contact Buddy Davis, buddy@familychurch.tv if you need more information or to volunteer.
In their monthly reports, pastors tell us many other things to Celebrate:
Harold Johnson, Cushing I want to celebrate…Last month our church partnered with Valley Hope to raise money for a burn victim who attends our church. We raised over $500. PTL!
Gerald James, Claremore I want to celebrate…God moved miraculously in the life of a nine year old girl named Breighanna. Her story is amazing. She was saved the day before having a very serious surgery done on her skull. They did not expect her to make it through the surgery. She is now back in school on half days and is recovering well. Her family is now attending our church. To God be the glory!! Fifteen people from the Claremore community joined our Financial Peace University class this time. There is a new sense of revival brewing in our teen group.
Alan McBroom, Davenport I want to celebrate...We had an infant baptized this month. It was a great opportunity to share in the church’s responsibility in raising a child up in the Lord, as well as ministry to many new people.We also served 30 families this month with our clothes ministry!
Jim Wilson, Barnsdall I want to celebrate...We have had Revival Services this month with Marcus Whitworth and some guest Preachers, and saw some new and old faces in the pews. We had a combined morning worship with Pawhuska on the 24th with an all church luncheon afterwards.
Jim Wilson, Pawhuska I want to celebrate… Revival services this month, a combined worship with Barnsdall, new visitors and old friends, and we had one member (Walt Bellamy) defeat cancer this month and get “promoted” to heaven.
Don Nichols, Tahlequah I want to celebrate… A great Planning Session for our Centennial Celebration. Thankful for a Church that has a Heart to reach out to our community during the centennial celebration. We will have a great time at our community wide celebration and the reenactment of the Pilot Point Business Meeting on October 4th
Randy Schuneman, Bartlesville I want to celebrate… Great revival with Stephen Manley. Best I have experienced in 30 years!
Angela Bentley, Bristow I want to celebrate… We had our very first youth rally/revival and it was a great success! One young person accepted Jesus as his personal Savior and several other young people were helped! A few of our Wednesday night youth have been in church every Sunday since the revival! We raised enough funds to pay all expenses, give the band and speakers a love offering, and the turnout was good.
John Whitsett, Tulsa Central I want to celebrate…A really good first installment of my D. Min. program. Our new Student Ministries Pastor, Justin Hedges, arrived and is off to a wonderful start. There is a sense of optimism in the air.
Gordon Smith, Dewey I want to celebrate…“We Care” projects”. Each Sunday School class was asked to come up with one project that they could do in the community for the sake of Christ. For the last several months our “Life Lessons” Sunday school class has been collecting clothes for donation to give away to those in need in our community. On August 10th, we went to a community park and allowed for those in need to come and take what they needed, and we also provided some hot dogs, and something to drink. We were able to touch lives for the sake of Christ Jesus! We tangibly touched so many lives and received the blessing of the Lord as it is states in Acts 20:35, “Remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” It was a joy to be the tangible hands of Christ to the community of Dewey. Church-Wide Jr. High Camping Trip. We put together a church-wide Jr. High camping trip. It was a lot of work and effort, but we were able to see many lives changed in the process, and despite the extreme heat that we experienced that week, we also experienced the graceful hand of God. We had a great time of fun and games, and we also had a great time of helping our young adults to mature in their faith, and to preach the gospel to those that no nothing of Christ Jesus! One young man, after talking to him about his relationship with the Lord, had already accepted Christ in heart, but he wanted to take another step of commitment in his relationship with Jesus and get baptized, which will happen this month. I also, want to celebrate a loving people here at Dewey. My two year review was this last month, and these fine folks have been kind enough to allow me to continue to serve them in the name of Christ Jesus, of which I am honored and humbled to do so. Our love as a church is continuing to soar, and, as Leo Tolstoy has written, “Where love is, there God is also.” I thank the Lord for what he has already done for our church, for what he is doing for our church, and for what he will do in our church and in our community for the sake of Christ!
Larry Morris, Broken Arrow I want to celebrate...Started training for starting 20 small groups to start in January. Recruited a launch team to develop a plan to start a worship service at the Manna house. Began a new comers class that introduces the ministries and doctrines of the church.
David Stevens, Vinita I want to celebrate...Reception of members Buddy, and Teresa Brown and their teenaged daughter. The family also includes a toddler and a 4-year-old. They have been attending for quite a while but finally wanted to commit. We also have had 6 different people who have come to ‘try the church’ and ended up coming back for several Sundays now. We have almost all of the insulation and sheet-rock back up in the Sunday School/Fellowship Hall annex. We were able to get the new ceiling finished in the hallway and fellowship hall and ceiling fan/lights installed just in time for our Missionary service with David Fraley. The church services have been blessed with the presence of the Lord and a closeness and love among the people. God is Good! Carol Stevens (pastor’s wife) continues to improve. She has been working at the school and using a walker to get around. For the last week she has been practicing with a 4-footed cane at home and at church. She drove her self to work this week. We thank God for all His help.
Gerald Burch, Coweta I want to celebrate… That our Father has supplied the resources for us to purchase an electronic piano, as well as a computer, video player, CD play, and projector, that will allow us to be creative in a variety of ways in different areas of ministry. Also that during a past Youth weekend event God stirred the hearts of our Youth. One young man, whose parents do not attend, has changed his work schedule so that he can regularly attend Sunday and Wednesday service.
NEO Leaders August 2008
S. S.
Drumright +23
Claremore +22
Tahlequah +17
Dewey +13
Broken Arrow +9
Owasso +9
Vinita +4
AM Worship
Owasso +30
Fuente de Vida +25
Claremore +25
Davenport +8
Tahlequah +6
Tulsa First +6
Coweta +2
God is at work. Great days are ahead!
Dave McKellips
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